U.S. patent number 4,556,236 [Application Number 06/534,826] was granted by the patent office on 1985-12-03 for inflatable gas cushion.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Daimler-Benz AG. Invention is credited to Helmut Patzelt, Hans J. Scholz.
United States Patent |
4,556,236 |
Scholz , et al. |
December 3, 1985 |
Inflatable gas cushion
Abstract
At least one closed container filled with neutralizing
substances is arranged inside of an automatically inflatable gas
cushion designed for the protection of the passengers of motor
vehicles. The gas cushion is generally filled in a pyrotechnical
manner by the use of gases and the release of the substances in the
closed container is for the purpose of neutralizing these gases
which may lead to the annoyance of the passengers when flowing into
the vehicle passenger space.
Inventors: |
Scholz; Hans J. (Waldenbuch,
DE), Patzelt; Helmut (Fellbach, DE) |
Assignee: |
Daimler-Benz AG
(DE)
|
Family
ID: |
6173926 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/534,826 |
Filed: |
September 22, 1983 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Sep 23, 1982 [DE] |
|
|
3235176 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/729 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
21/23 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
21/16 (20060101); B60R 021/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;280/728,729,737 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bertsch; Richard A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Craig & Burns
Claims
We claim:
1. An inflatable gas cushion fillable with gases for the protection
of passengers of vehicles including a frangible closed container
means arranged inside of the gas cushion filled with substances for
neutralizing selected properties of said gases, said container
means being automatically opened during inflation of the inflatable
gas cushion.
2. A gas cushion according to claim 1, wherein the container means
is constructed as welded-together pocket made from a plastic
foil.
3. A gas cushion according to claim 1, wherein the container means
is secured inside of the gas cushion in such a manner that it is
mechanically destroyed by the unfolding gas cushion.
4. A gas cushion according to claim 1, wherein the container means
is thermally destroyed by hot gases flowing into the gas
cushion.
5. An inflatable gas cushion fillable with gases for the protection
of passengers of vehicles which is inflated by the gases flowing
into the gas cushion during an accident, comprising a frangible
closed container means inside the gas cushion, said container means
being filled with substances for at least partially neutralizing
any annoying side effects of said gases, said gas cushion
automatically opening said closed container means during inflation
of said gas cushion by said gases.
6. An inflatable gas cushion according to claim 5, wherein the gas
cushion is made of stretchable material and the container means is
opened mechanically.
7. An inflatable gas cushion according to claim 6, wherein said gas
cushion and said container means utilize different stretch
properties of the materials used therefor for automatically opening
the container means during inflation of the gas cushion.
8. An inflatable gas cushion according to claim 6, wherein said gas
cushion includes a member for tearing open said container means
during inflation of the gas cushion.
9. An inflatable gas cushion according to claim 5, wherein said
container means is formed of a thermally responsive material and is
opened in response to hot gases filling said gas cushion.
Description
The present invention relates to an inflatable gas cushion for the
protection of passengers of motor vehicles.
Such gas cushions at present are generally filled with a gas
produced by a pyrotechnical propellant because of the short filling
time which is available. Though these gases are non-poisonous, they
frequently have an unpleasant odor and may lead to irritation in
the nose and throat area when inhaled.
The present invention is concerned with the task of avoiding this
disadvantage and eliminating the possibility as far as possible
unpleasant side effects of the gas.
The underlying problems are solved according to the present
invention in that at least one closed container filled with
scenting or aromatic substances is arranged inside of the gas
cushion which is automatically opened during the inflation
operation.
The container is preferably constructed from plastic foil as a
welded pocket which can be torn open relatively easily.
According to an advantageous construction of the present invention,
the container is secured on the inside of the gas cushion in such a
manner that it is mechanically destroyed by the unfolding gas
cushion, i.e., in the case of a pocket, the pocket is torn
open.
It may also be advantageous for the container to be constructed of
material that is thermally destroyed by the hot gases flowing into
the gas cushion, i.e., the pocket is melted.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following description
when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows,
for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments in
accordance with the present invention, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional view through one
embodiment in accordance with the present invention in which the
container made from a foil is secured within the area of a fold of
the gas cushion at the inner wall thereof;
FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional view through a
modified embodiment in accordance with the present invention, in
which the container is secured at the inner wall of a gas cushion
formed of elastic material; and
FIG. 3 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional view through a
further embodiment in accordance with the present invention in
which the container secured to the inner wall of an elastic gas
cushion is provided with a tear-open thread.
Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are
used throughout the various views to designate like parts, and more
particularly to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in this figure for a gas cushion 1 formed of relatively
inelastic material, of which only a wall part is illustrated in
this figure section-wise. A welded-together container 2 which is
made from plastic foil or film is secured within the area of a fold
3 of the gas cushion 1 at the inner wall thereof by sewing,
bonding, welding, or the like. During the filling of the gas
cushion 1, the fold 3 straightens out, the container 2 is torn
open, and the substance contained therein, for example, in liquid
or in powder form, which are matched specially to the gas filling
the gas cushion in a manner known as such, neutralizes to reduce
the annoying properties thereof.
In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2 of
the drawing, the container 2 is secured to a gas cushion 4 whose
material is more stretchable than that of the container 2. No fold
is necessary in this case because the material of the gas cushion 4
stretches during the filling thereof to such an extent that the
container 2 is torn open, and its contents are released.
In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the container 2 is secured,
folded together to a gas cushion 4 formed of a material having good
stretch properties i.e., an elastic cushion. A tear-open thread 5
is placed on the container 2 within the area of the fold and is
secured to the gas cushion 4. During a corresponding stretching of
the gas cushion 4, the container 2 is destroyed by the thread
5.
The places at which the container 2 is secured to the gas cushion
1, respectively, 4 are indicated schematically in the drawing by
reference numeral 6.
A disposition of a container 2, according to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the
drawing, would also be possible at inwardly disposed catching bands
or straps or the like of the gas cushion or also on one side of
fixed mounting parts and on the other to an unfolding part.
While we have shown and described several embodiments in accordance
with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not
limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and
modifications as known to those skilled in the art, and we
therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and
described herein but intend to cover all such changes and
modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *